The Glenn Miller Orchestra Comes To The Van Wezel 1/19/2010

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The Glenn Miller Orchestra, arguably the greatest Big Band of all time, swings into the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 19.

Tickets are $25-$40 (with a limited number of "smart seats" priced at $10).

The legendary Glenn Miller was one of the most successful of all the dance bandleaders back in the Swing era of the 1930s and ‘40s. A matchless string of hit records, the constant impact of radio broadcasts and the drawing power at theatres, hotels and dance pavilions built and sustained the momentum of popularity.

Miller disbanded his musical organization in 1942, at the height of its popularity, volunteered for the Army and then organized and led the famous Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band. It went to Europe to entertain servicemen, and then, on December 15, 1944, Major Miller took off in a single-engine plane from England to precede his band to France, never to be seen again. The army declared him officially dead a year later.

Due to the popular demand, the Miller estate authorized the formation of the present Glenn Miller Orchestra in 1956 under the direction of drummer Ray McKinley, who had become the unofficial leader of the Army Air Force Band after Glenn's disappearance. Since then, other leaders have followed including clarinetists Buddy DeFranco and Peanuts Hucko, trombonists Buddy Morrow, Jimmy Henderson, Larry O' Brien and tenor saxophonist Dick Gerhart.
The 19-member band continues to play many of the originAl Miller arrangements that keep exciting fans who have not heard them played for a while. Additionally, they are also playing more modern selections in the big-band style, carefully selecting only those newer tunes that lend themselves naturally to the Miller style and sound, carefully selected pieces that will stay around for a while. The entire repertoire, which now exceeds 1,700 compositions, keeps the band popular with both young and old.
Among their greatest hits are Moonlight Serenade (their theme song), Chattanooga Choo Choo (which received the first Gold Record ever to be awarded), In The Mood, A String of Pearls, Tuxedo Junction and many others.
The concert at the Van Wezel is sponsored by 1450AM and 1320AM (The Dove) and Sarasota Bradenton Airport Holiday Inn.
For more information and to buy tickets, contact the Van Wezel Box Office at 941- 953-3368 or log onto www.vanwezel.org. Dinner is available prior to most shows by Michael's on East at the Van Wezel by calling (941) 366-0007 or logging onto www.bestfood.com.
Set along Sarasota's beautiful bayfront, the landmark Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is celebrating its 40th anniversary of entertaining audiences with a variety of music, dance, theater, comedy and children's shows. Its mission is to present a broad spectrum of the world's finest performing artists in order to meet the diverse cultural needs of all of Southwest Florida's residents and visitors. The Van Wezel is also committed to bringing visiting artists into the community for meaningful education and outreach programs.

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